Greater New Orleans

RedHawks Hammer Zephyrs 12-3

Game Keys: The Zephyrs traveled to Oklahoma City the former temporary home of the New Orleans Hornets on Monday and the host RedHawks defeated the Zephyrs 12-3. Nelson Cruz drilled a pair of home runs and drove home three runs in the game. The RedHawks jumped on Zephyr starter Ruddy Lugo in the first inning sending ten batters to the plate and scored four runs. The Zephyrs activated Lugo off the disabled list prior to the game starting and he worked three innings and allowed 7 runs on 8 hits. Oklahoma scored runs in the first five innings after being blanked on Sunday in Memphis. New Orleans' Anderson Machado added two hits including his first home run of the season. The Z's dropped their fourth game on the road trip and now have lost seven of their last 8 games.

Game Notes: New Orleans (21-23) falls to two games under .500 for the first time this season and is now 3 ½ games back of division leading Oklahoma. The Zephyrs will play 20 consecutive games against division opponents ... The Z's are 5-13 in the month of May .... Anderson Machado has a five game hit streak ... The Z's added veteran infielder Abraham Nunez. He primarily plays third base, but is capable of playing all four infield positions. He is a nine-year Major League veteran and has a career batting average of .244. He played 630 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1996-2004. He played for St. Louis in 2006 and was with Philadelphia in 2007. Núnez opened the season with the Nashville Sounds and batted .210 in 33 games.

Coming Up: Zephyrs RH Brian Stokes (4-4) will pitch against Oklahoma Redhawks RH Elizardo Ramirez (4-3) in the second game of a three game series at 7:00 PM at AT@T Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Radio: AM 690 WIST.